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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the visiting doctor tell the Chief Resident?

2. How does the doctor feel about the Chief Resident's work?

3. Why is the doctor visiting the hospital?

4. Who come to see Rosina and Genet late one evening?

5. Where does Rosina decide to take Genet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Rosina attack Marion, and what does he realize about Genet then?

2. How does Marion finally end up having sex with Genet, and what does she do after they are together?

3. What does the famous doctor suggest to Deepak?

4. What does Marion do when he finds out where Dr. Stone is?

5. Who does Marion meet because of her baby, what does he do with her and what is her response?

6. What does Stone tell Marion about how he ended up in Africa?

7. What do the nurses ask Marion to do when Popsy enters the operating room?

8. Who does Marion and Shiva run into a few days after Genet returns, what does she suggest to Marion, what is his response and how does Shiva feel about Marion's response?

9. How is Marion's life saved after he becomes critically ill?

10. What happens when Popsy tries to operate during Marion's first surgery?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Stone shows up at Marion's door. He is clearly distraught and uncomfortable, but this is nothing compared to Marion's overwhelming feelings of anger and abandonment. Stone awkwardly tries to make conversation with Marion, who wants nothing more than to make his father suffer. In an unexpected attempt to explain himself to his son, Stone tells Marion his life story. Throughout his life, Thomas battled with anxiety, depression, and alcoholism, although he is a brilliant surgeon. Many years after his mother died, he met Sister Mary Praise, and fell desperately in love with her, although he didn't know it until it was too late. And then she died at Stone's hand, and he fled from Africa, overwhelmed with grief and guilt. He has found it impossible to cope with his emotions, to process the devastation he had inflicted in his own life, which is why he had never returned to claim his children.

1. Why do you think Marion feels such anger and feels abandoned by his father? Do you think his feelings are justified? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Thomas Stone's explanation to Marion is reasonable? Do you think it justifies his behavior? Why or why not? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Thomas Stone has admitted to being an alcoholic. How do you think his alcoholism relates to his inability to cope with his emotions? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the following:

1. What do you think are the characteristics of a successful novel?

2. Analyze and discuss "Cutting for Stone" based upon the criteria you decide upon in #1, and then judge if "Cutting for Stone" is a successful novel.

3. Do you think the criteria for a successful novel should be different if it is written for adults versus young adults? Why or why not? Would most adults consider "Cutting for Stone" a successful novel? What about young teens?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot in "Cutting for Stone".

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of "Cutting for Stone". How is the theme represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of "Cutting for Stone". How are the themes represented by symbolism? By the characters' behaviors? By the action?

(see the answer keys)

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